Shotgun found at Kurt Cobain death scene

New photos released

On Thursday, March 17, 2016, Seattle police released recently-taken photographs of the shotgun detectives say rock legend Kurt Cobain used to kill himself on April 8, 1994. Seattle Police Department cold case homicide Det. Michael Ciesynski is pictured holding the weapon in the photos.

Credit: Seattle Police

A rock legend's death

Cobain's body was found in a greenhouse room above the detached garage to his home in the upscale Lake Washington neighborhood of Seattle. He was clutching this shotgun.

Credit: Seattle Police

Never-before-seen

The shotgun hasn't been seen before publicly, except for certain crime scene photos that reveal a partial view of the weapon.

Credit: Seattle Police

A case questioned

Despite initial determinations by the coroner and the Seattle Police Department that the Nirvana front man killed himself, a range of fans and conspiracy theorists have refused to accept the death as a suicide.

Credit: Seattle Police

Dispelling a rumor

The release of the shotgun photos -- in response to a public records act request from CBS News -- dispels a rumor propagated by conspiracy theorists that the shotgun had been melted down to hide evidence in a supposed police cover-up of a potential murder. However many remain convinced the evidence in the case points to foul play.

Credit: Seattle Police

Kurt Cobain

Kurt Cobain is pictured performing in a June 1, 1992 photo.

Credit: AP

Re-examining the case

This photo was among 35 never-before-seen photos released in 2014 by the Seattle Police Department. The photos were released as a part of a re-examination of the case, which concluded again the death was a suicide.